AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 10
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Random Ramblings…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If this blog is random and incoherent…well…that was intentional…
Age:
I turn 38 tomorrow…which is mildly depressing when I stop to consider that I’m now much closer to 40 than I am to 30. When I was in my early-mid 30s there was at least an illusion of youth. Its funny how time flies by and gets lost. That 1998 drought breaker in Athens doesn’t seem so long ago, but it was. I’ll always fondly remember sitting in the student section for that one…
Women’s Hoops:
This past Friday night, I found myself taking my four year old daughter down to Tech campus to see the women’s hoops team throttle UGA. We had a blast. She got popcorn and enjoyed watching the band and cheerleaders and “girls playing ball”. I got to enjoy watching a close halftime score blossom into a substantial lead and a convincing win for the Lady Jackets.
Machelle Joseph is building something special. If you have kids and enjoy sports I highly suggest attending a women’s hoops game. It was $4 for adults and $2 for kids under 18.
I’m seriously considering making the GT vs UGA women’s basketball game an annual event for my daughters and I.
Men’s Hoops:
Coach Hewitt’s team is sitting at 5-1 with their only loss being by two points to a pretty solid Penn State team. The competition will get alot tougher when we start ACC play but right now the Jackets are playing hard and finding ways to win. We can’t afford any cheap losses early if we want to make a case for the NCAAs this year.
Coach Johnson and Auburn:
I was never worried about the rumors that Johnson might entertain the Auburn coaching job. In all honestly, Auburn is barely a lateral move from Georgia Tech. Seriously…not only do the Jackets own the Aubies after the two recent wins but that program is in shambles and is saddled with boosters than make Taz Anderson look positively benign.
ACC Championship in Tampa:
Tampa is a great city and destination but its a horrible location for the ACC title game. The fact that two of the most boring teams in the ACC ended up playing for the title was a double whammy to John Swofford. I find myself thinking that the ACC would have gotten a better match up if they’d put a higher quality of referee on the field during the regular season. That bogus helmet to helmet call against the Hokies early in the season effectively sealed the tie breaker that kept the Jackets home.
ACC Strength and Parity:
Ten bowl teams? A winning record head to head against the SEC? Sagarin’s #1 ranked football conference?
Consider that the ACC’s lowest rated team (Duke at #52) rates ahead of six (6!) SEC teams.
Where are all the talking heads and pundits who were bashing the ACC and lauding the SEC when the season started?
Even ‘ole Navy…without Paul Johnson…ranks ahead of seven SEC teams…
Peach Bowl:
Many Tech fans are excited about a bowl game that is within driving distance. The fact that we get to essentially stay “home” in the current economic climate is just an added bonus. Tech has already sold out its allotment of tickets and is asking for more.
And no…I will never call it the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Its the PEACH BOWL!
Bowl Attendence in General:
Is anyone else curious to see what the bowl attendence numbers look like this year? How many fans will be able to afford to travel? Will we see a reduction in numbers across the board?
Gators vs Sooners:
Florida fans who are already polishing up the trophy case may want to temper their enthusiasm a bit. The Sooners are going to score early and often on the Florida defense. We may see both teams score 40-50 points.
